December 2004
Volume 1 Issue 5
A non-profit organization dedicated to Dog Bite Prevention
Doggone Safe is the first federally incorporated non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to dog bite prevention education and victim support. Doggone Safe provides services in Canada, the US and around the world through its website and network of volunteers.
In This Issue Doggone Safe Founders Nominated for Education Award
OAVT Endorses Be a Tree Program - Approves for Continuing Education Credits
Doggone Safe Store Now Open
Help Us Sell Calendars!
Join Doggone Safe - Memberships Now Available
Holiday Safety Tips
No Paws from Santa Claus
Case File - Expect the Unexpected
Click here to join the Dog Bite Victim Support Group - this is a forum for families of child dog bite victims to talk about their experiences and concerns, learn from and support each other.
Click here to join Doggone Safe or donate to the Courtney Fund
Doggone Safe Founders Nominated for Education Award...
Doggone Safe co-founders Joan Orr and Teresa Lewin have been nominated to receive the Canine Communication Studies/IPDTA "Education Award 2005" by the International Positive Dog Training Association (IPDTA). Joan Orr and Teresa Lewin were nominated for their work to bring products and programs to children and families that educate about dog communication and safety around dogs. The award banquet will be held at The Walper Terrace Hotel in Kitchener ON on Saturday October 22, 2005. The IPDTA has also announced that it endorses Doggone Crazy! IPDTA Chair Norma Jeanne Laurette said, "I was thrilled to find the Doggone Crazy board game, to teach entire families how to prevent problems before they occur and how to handle dogs in a humane manner, through understanding and respect for our canine companions". "We are very pleased to hear of this nomination" said Ms Lewin. "We have been working very hard to get the safety messages out and it is very gratifying to know that our efforts are appreciated".
Find out about the Be a Tree Teacher Kit (donation is made by the manufacturer to Doggone Safe for every kit sold)
OAVT Endorses Be a Tree Program...
The Be a TreeTM dog bite prevention education program has received the endorsement of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians. The "Be a Tree" program is an innovative and entertaining way for children to learn to understand dog body language and act safely around dogs. The program was created by Doggone Safe, a Canadian federally incorporated non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention education and victim support. Veterinary technicians who deliver the "Be a Tree" program to children in Ontario will receive two continuing education credits for each presentation, up to a maximum of ten credits over a two year period. The "Be a Tree" program is the only dog bite prevention education program to receive accreditation from a major professional association. Julie Jones, Community Outreach Cooridinator for the OAVT said, "technicians will find the "Be A Tree" kit gives an outstanding opportunity to raise awareness of the veterinary clinic and the Veterinary Technician profession to the whole community. It’s a great way to increase the profile of Veterinary Technicians and demonstrate how helpful animal health professionals are!" OAVT members can contact the association at www.oavt.org or 1-800-675-1859 for further information.
Doggone Safe Store Now Open...
The Doggone Safe on-line store is now open for business! Products include:
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Be a Tree Teacher Kit (10% discount for Doggone Safe members)
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Doggone Crazy! board game (free shipping in Canada in December)
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Doggone Safe educational calendar
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Clicker Puppy DVD - a new Doggone Crazy! product
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Clickers
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Doggone Crazy! and Doggone Safe clothing
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Adorable puppy poster (seen at right)
Doggone Safe has also entered into an affiliate relationship with Karen Pryor Clicker
Training and all click throughs from Doggone Safe to KPCT that result in a sale
will generate commission for Doggone Safe.
There is still time to shop and ship before Christmas - so buy stuff from Doggone Safe!
Help Us Sell Calendars...
Doggone Safe has produced a fabulous calendar that is attractive as well as educational. Like our other products it merges appealing pictures dogs with lessons in how to read dog body language and how to see the signs of a dog that says "stay away" in contrast with a dog that says "I want to meet you".
We have lots of calendars left and we are selling them at outrageously low prices - the more you buy the less they cost. We are happy to share the profits with other non-profit groups so please contact us if you think you can sell some of these.
A wonderful lady from the Ottawa bought some calendars and posters to donate to the seniors in a veterans hospital where she works. This inspired me to do the same. The seniors are thrilled to receive pictures of dogs for their rooms. What an easy way to make someone happy! We will sell the posters for $2 to anyone who is donating them to a seniors home and buys at least 10 calendars (for $3.50 each) as well. All proceeds from the calendar and posters will go to the Courtney Fund.
Join Doggone Safe...
Doggone Safe is now offering memberships with annual dues of $20.00. Member benefits include:
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use of the Doggone Safe member logo;
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access to a members only section of the website;
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10% off the price of the teacher kit;
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eligibility to become a paid Doggone Safe presenter;
Holiday Safety Tips...
Holidays are peak times for dog bites in the home. According to an Australian study New Year's Eve is the number one dog bite day of the year. Holidays can be stressful to dogs, with changes in routine, increased activity levels and extra people in the house. Even the most placid family pet can be pushed past its limits under these circumstances. Family gatherings are a source of fond memories for many, but the family dog may not share the joy. Here are some tips to help keep the dog happy and the kids safe during family gatherings this holiday season:
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Put the dog in his crate, or another room with his bone or a special chew toy, at least during the most hectic times - guests arriving and leaving as well as dinner preparation and serving.
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A Kong or large sterilized bone stuffed with soft dog food and dog biscuits and then frozen will keep the dog busy for a long time.
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Assign one adult to be responsible for the dog, to watch for signs of stress and protect from unwanted attention from children and guests.
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Assign one adult to supervise each baby or toddler, with no other tasks expected.
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If you have multiple dogs, consider kenneling them, crating them, or keeping them in another room throughout large gatherings.
No Paws from Santa Claus...
The image of a bright eyed plump adorable pup dressed in a red bow is an irresistible one. Or is it? Giving a life for a gift is something to think very carefully about. Puppies grow up quickly, cost a lot and need a life long commitment. Christmas puppies bought for a child on a whim often end up sad and unwanted, sixty pounds of unappreciated energy and spunk by springtime.
So, if you see a puppy on the top of your child’s list this year, here are some suggestions from Jennifer Shryock, Doggone Safe US Co-ordinator and owner of Family Paws: Go out and purchase the cutest stuffed puppy that you can find? Get it a leash and collar with tags. Get a food bowl and some biscuits for effect and then research together the many options you have in deciding when and what type of furry family member you would like to bring into your family. Preparation, education and dedication are the best recipe for a perfect happy ending for all. Happy Holidays
Case File - Expect the Unexpected...
"Mommy, I have to go pee!"... the battle cry of the toddler that is reserved for the most inconvenient of times and is delivered in the loudest of voices. "Maybe there is a bathroom in the house...let's go see", Angela steers the child toward the house, certain that the proprietors of the garden centre wouldn't mind an emergency trip to the bathroom. The door is open and Angela opens it and ushers Susie inside, only to come face to face with the family's two large dogs. Susie starts to scream and the dogs rush towards her, growling and barking and fighting with each other. They push the frantic toddler and her shocked mother out of the way as they rush outside in a frenzy. The dogs have no idea what the screaming is all about and luckily they go outside in their confusion.
Margaret, the lady of the house was baking in the kitchen with the dogs at her feet, when someone came in and the dogs got up to look for the cookies that they customarily receive from visitors. Startled by the screaming they became alarmed and then aggressive with each other. Fortunately they took it outside and no-one was hurt. Margaret was shaken and disturbed by the incident and the thought of what might have happened. She was right there behind the dogs but the whole thing was over before she could even react. Angela was similarly shocked and could not have got her child out of the way of the dogs.
The lesson here is expect the unexpected. Never assume anything where dogs and children (or even customers) are concerned. Margaret has since taken steps to ensure that the dogs have no access to the front door, even when she is with them in the house. Angela, one expects would knock the next time and enter a strange place ahead of, rather than behind her child. Susie is likely even more terrified of dogs than she was previously and this makes her more likely to run away screaming from a dog thus precipitating an attack. We hope that our programs and materials help children like Susie get over their fear as they become empowered with the knowledge of how to tell what a dog is thinking and how to control a situation with a dog by standing still and being a tree.
For More Information...
For more information about Doggone Safe and for useful tips about bite prevention please visit the Doggone Safe website. Any materials found at the site can be used at websites or in printed matter without permission (unless specifically noted) provided proper credit is given. A link back to the Doggone Safe site is appreciated.
Privacy Policy...
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